What is the purpose of this research?The purpose of this research is to explore the wellbeing of parents of a loved one with an eating disorder to see if there are certain experiences that carers may have that contribute to depressed mood and/or protect them from depressed mood. This will help develop a greater understanding of the needs of carers and help develop interventions focussed on supporting carer wellbeing.

Who can take part?You can take part in this study if you are a parent currently caring for someone with an eating disorder.You also must be over 18 years of age and have a good understanding of writtenEnglish.

What does the study involve?The study will involve completing six questionnaires on an online platform. This will take approximately 30-35 minutes. The questionnaires will ask you about different aspects of your mood and thoughts about yourself. You will also be asked to provide some general information about yourself.

As a thank you, you will be given the opportunity to enter into a prize draw to win one of two £50 (or your currency equivalent) Amazon vouchers.

How can you take part?To read further information about the study please follow the link.

Stories of Recovery provide much needed hope to people affected by eating disorders. They prove that recovery from an eating disorder is possible, and highlight the diverse journeys people take to get there. Sharing your story also gives you a chance to reflect on your own experience, and may help you find acceptance or peace within your own journey.

Who can share their story?

Individuals who have recovered from an eating disorder

Anyone who has been close to someone who has recovered from an eating disorder (parents, siblings, partners, friends, grandparents etc.)

We know that everyone’s experience of an eating disorder is unique and no two stories are the same. We encourage a broad and diverse range of stories, from both individuals who have recovered, and those who have supported them along the way.

Where will stories be published?

Recovery stories will be published on the EDV website. If we’re interested in using your story for another EDV publication, we will contact you for your permission.

Things to think about

It’s important your story remains recovery focused. Take some time to reflect on the following questions.

Do I feel ready to write my story? If yes, do I have supports in place in case I need them?

Is what I’m writing helpful for the reader? How am I making them feel?

What is the message I want to leave the reader with?

Guidelines

Do not use specifics in your story as they can potentially be triggering for the reader. For example, no numbers or descriptive behaviours. Please do not name specific service providers.

Create a short, meaningful title so readers can identify the particular subject areas that interest them.

Let us know how you would like to be acknowledged. We will include a “contributed by x” at the end of your story, however if you would rather not use your first name, you can suggest an alias or pseudonym that you prefer.

Word limit: aim for 500 to 700 words. However, if you want to write more, the upper limit is 1,200 words.

All stories will be reviewed before being published. Slight changes may be made for editorial purposes. EDV also reserve the right not to publish stories that do not fit the guidelines. If at any stage you would like your story removed, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us.

Support

If you would like to speak to someone during this process, please contact us on 1300 550 236 or email edv@eatingdisorders.org.au. For crisis support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Telehealth Nurse to be available on Eating Disorders Victoria Helpline

Eating Disorders Victoria (EDV) have been selected as one of 11 organisations Australia-wide to adapt and test a Telehealth Nurse pilot, known as the Patient Pathways Program.

The Patient Pathways Program is a 3-year Commonwealth funded initiative of the Centre for Community-Driven Research (CCDR).

EDV CEO Jennifer Beveridge said the addition of a telehealth nurse on the EDV Helpline will be of enormous benefit to Victorian’s affected by eating disorders, and will help bring eating disorder care more in line with other serious illnesses.

“We know that when you get diagnosed with certain types of cancer, you have access to a support nurse who can answer your questions and help guide you through the system. When people are diagnosed with eating disorders, they are often left to figure it out on their own.

A telehealth nurse will further expand on the navigation support already offered by EDV, helping Victorians access existing services as well as connecting them with opportunities to participate in medical research and patient feedback initiatives.”

Ms Beveridge also noted that the program highlights the vital role of community-based organisations.

“The first point of call for many people when they are diagnosed with a serious illness is their local non-profit organisation. This program acknowledges that community organisations need continued investment so that they can support the broader healthcare system.”

Recruitment for the EDV telehealth nurse will begin soon. EDV will join the following organisations in the 3-year Patient Pathways Program:

Victorian Government to fund EDV’s Peer Mentoring Program for another year

Eating Disorders Victoria are thrilled to announce that the Minister for Mental Health, Martin Foley MP, has advised that the Victorian Government will fund EDV’s Peer Mentoring Program in 2019/20.

The Peer Mentoring Program began as a pilot in 2016 through philanthropic investment, with the Victorian Government contributing additional funds to the program in 2017/18. In the almost three years since the program commenced, it has proven to reduce hospital re-admission rates, and is projected to have significant cost benefits to the public health system. For every $1 invested in the program, the government can expect to save $2.50 in future inpatient treatment spending.

EDV CEO Jennifer Beveridge said that after seven months of advocating, the investment from the Victorian Government is welcome news for EDV and the sector.

“This is an exciting step in the right direction for people with eating disorders. Not only will the program provide support for more people in the year ahead, we will also continue to collect data that demonstrates the value of community based care and support using a peer workforce.

EDV will use the opportunities afforded by the Royal Commission into Mental Health to continue to advocate for recurrent funding for this program.”

The Peer Mentoring Program is currently at capacity, with a new intake round now expected in July 2019.

About the Peer Mentoring Program:The program is designed to address the high relapse rate for individuals who receive hospital treatment for eating disorders. The program provides a step down service for individuals when discharged for hospital, connecting them to a Peer Mentor who themselves has experienced and recovered from an eating disorder. The structured mentoring relationship continues for a period of six months, and aims to keep individuals actively engaged in their recovery journey and out of hospital.

EDV are here to support anyone wanting to engage in the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System.

We understand that sharing your experience with the eating disorder service system may feel overwhelming, for many reasons. Putting together the words to describe what will often be a long, complicated and deeply personal story is understandably challenging.

If you would like speak to someone about how you can share your experience with the eating disorder service system, please contact us on 1300 550 236, or email us at edv@eatingdisorders.org.au

How can you engage in the Royal Commission with the support of EDV?

Community Consultations, April 5th - May 22nd 2019A representative from EDV will be attending the vast majority of the Community Consultation sessions. If you are wanting to attend a session but don’t want to go alone, please reach out to us so that someone from EDV can connect with you there. Likewise, we encourage you to attend with a friend or a family member if you would like some extra support.

The federal Minister for Health Greg Hunt this morning announced $70.2 million to establish six residential eating disorder centres across Australia.

EDV CEO Jennifer Beveridge said the announcement was the culmination of years of advocacy from eating disorder organisations.

“We know that accessing treatment for eating disorders often comes down to postcode lottery. The state you live determines the type of treatment you have access to. Moving to a more equitable system of care through a coordinated, national approach such as this is a big step in the right direction.”

Two of the six residential centres have already been assigned to WA and the ACT respectively, with the other four locations yet to be announced. The Butterfly Foundation has been tasked with helping guide the establishment of the centres around Australia.

“We welcome the establishment of a residential eating disorder centre. We look forward to working with our colleagues at The Butterfly Foundation and other partners with the roll out of a centre here in Victoria.” Ms Beveridge said.

This latest announcement is in addition to the historic $110 million investment into the new MBS item numbers for eating disorders announced in December last year.

Would you like to share your perspective as a parent on online parenting resources, and help improve young peoples' mental health?

Monash University's Parenting and Youth Mental Health lab is looking for Victorian parents who may experience financial barriers in utilising traditional mental health services to participate in a 1-hour interview about creating web-based programs to help parents build their child's resilience and mental health.

To thank you for your time you will receive a $20 Coles gift card.

To find out more about the Programs Empowering Parents (PEP) study please see the attached image. If interested, please email Grace Broomfield at med-PEP@monash.edu or call (03) 9902 0040. You can also support the project by sharing this information and the below image.

If you are currently using a digital mental health intervention, such as via a phone, the internet, or another electronic device, you can help further research by taking part in a short 20-30 minute survey.

About the study:Digital interventions for mental health are those that are delivered via electronic means, such as with mobile phone Apps, programs delivered over the internet, or chat, telephone, or videoconference counselling. These may be structured interventions for a particular problem (e.g. anxiety or depression) or they may also help you with developing a particular skill (e.g. mindfulness or meditation). In this study you will be asked to complete an online questionnaire regarding your current use of a digital mental health intervention, including your beliefs regarding the intervention. You will also be asked to read three short passages. You will then be asked to re-complete the same questionnaire one week later, in order to examine the pattern of use of digital mental health interventions.

Benefits of this research:Participation in this research will help us to understand individuals' perceptions and use of digital mental health interventions, in order to best tailor and improve these services and interventions.

Prize Draw:After you have completed the follow-up questionnaire you will be offered the opportunity to enter a prize draw for one of three $100 Coles/Myer vouchers. If you are willing to participate in the research, please access the link below.

Disordered eating and eating disorders are psychological conditions that impact many people in different ways. Disordered eating commonly occurs in the presence of other difficulties such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and perfectionism. Some people also report a traumatic event(s) as pivotal in the development of their problems with food. Useful evidence-based treatments are available to help people recover from disordered eating, however many people do not seek help and when they do, it can take time to create enduring positive change.

Past research has identified a relationship between disordered eating and other factors such as a past history of trauma and other psychological factors e.g. anxiety, perfectionism, low self-esteem. What is not clear however, is how these other factors impact on disordered eating thoughts, feelings and behaviours. This study aims to explore the interrelationship between disordered eating and other factors that have been reported to be relevant in the literature.

The information gathered in this study will be used to improve our understanding of how these factors impact on each other. A better understanding of the underlying factors involved will inform future efforts to treat and prevent the related disorders.

Participants required for research into the neurobiological mechanisms involved in anorexia nervosa. Right-handed females with a current diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa OR right-handed biological sisters of individuals with Anorexia Nervosa, are required to take part in sessions at Swinburne Uni (Hawthorn). These sessions will involve a set of neuropsychological tests and MRI scans. Participants with anorexia nervosa will be required to take part in 2 sessions; biological sisters of individuals with anorexia nervosa will be required to take part in 1 session. Each session is approx 2-3 hours. Participants will be reimbursed with a total of $70 for 2 sessions, or $40 for one session.